we just wanted to replace the deck.....

Three weeks or so ago, Andrew took the deck off. It was our "summer project" to replace the deck and replace the siding on the south side of the house and to replace the windows in the sun room. Sounds simple, until we got the deck off.

What we found left us wondering how our Sun Room hasn't fallen off yet. With the siding off, we found some insulation, but that the house wasn't built the same way houses are now. Our sun room was built from the ground up. With the windows resting on some post type things (Andrew could say what they're called, but since he's not typing this and I am, you just get what I'm going to call them. If you want technicalities, call Andrew.)

So... we started the re-build. From the ground up.

Andrew jacked up different sections of the house, and piece by piece, replaced the mud sill and the braces holding the house up.Then he replaced the dirt sill. And then, he started rebuilding the walls. Including framing in window spots. Windows will be here on Friday.

It has meant that we've boarded up the house nightly, and that we go through a different door. But it also means that our sun room has a stronger base, and that the walls will be sturdy. We also won't have the slight breeze into our house every time the wind blows. The pantry will be larger, the windows a tad smaller, but the difference won't matter because of the craftsmanship that has gone into this "little" project.

The new door will be centered in the entryway of the sun room. The windows will be equal on both sides. This view through the wall will be gone... but I'm grateful for a husband who has the skills to do this work.

This work in progress, unlike other projects that are still on-going, will be finished by the end of this month. At least the outside part will. The inside part is not as essential, and can wait. For a little bit, at least.

Improvements include new siding, new windows and a new door. A more stable sun room - with the corner no longer drooping as badly as it used to be.

Really, we just wanted to replace the deck. What we're getting is a new sun room, new windows, a new door, and a lot of sweat equity. Andrew's sweat.

Finished pictures to follow. I promise.

All work courtesy of Andrew Stahr Specialty Woodworking. Thank GOODNESS!!!!!